You are currently running ad blocking software. Please be aware this may prevent non-ad features of this site from working properly, including social media icons, display of products in our store, and other features. [Close this notice.]

Misericordia et Misera: To extend mercy beyond the close of the Jubilee

Americans are about to celebrate their Thanksgiving holiday. This is a wonderful opportunity to reflect not only on the material gifts we have received, but also on the spiritual gifts. Which of us can fail to thank God not only for food, clothing and shelter, but for Christ, the Church, the sacramental life and our growing awareness of truth and grace? But for the mercy of God, we would not possess these goods; we would be lost in our sins.

I am particularly thankful this week for the Apostolic Letter Pope Francis issued last Sunday to mark the close of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Entitled Misericordia et Misera (Mercy with Misery), this letter highlights the “the mystery of God’s love when it touches the sinner”. It is a beautiful text which explores Divine mercy as revealed and extended in every time and place by Jesus Christ—and which manifests itself first and foremost in forgiveness.

The point of Misericordia et Misera, as we might easily guess, is that the Church’s ministry of mercy—and any growth in mercy that the faithful have experienced during the Jubilee—must not be forgotten with the closing of the Jubilee. Rather the Church and all her members must continue to extend and practice mercy with ever-greater consistency and strength:

Now, at the conclusion of this Jubilee, it is time to look to the future and to understand how best to continue, with joy, fidelity and enthusiasm, experiencing the richness of God’s mercy. Our communities can remain alive and active in the work of the new evangelization in the measure that the “pastoral conversion” to which we are called will be shaped daily by the renewing force of mercy. [5]

“Let us not limit its action,” Francis writes; “let us not sadden the Spirit, who constantly points out new paths to take in bringing to everyone the Gospel of salvation” (5).

Misericordia et Misera is very manageable in length. Printed from CatholicCulture.org, it fills nine pages of text, divided into the usual numbered sections. I would list the themes of these untitled sections as follows:

Mercy as revealed in Christ

Forgiveness as the most visible sign of the Father’s love

The joy which follows the reception of mercy.

Thankfulness for a renewed appreciation of mercy during the Jubilee

The ongoing celebration of mercy

The importance of hearing the Word of God

The need to make Scripture better known and loved

The great mercy of the Sacrament of Penance

The ongoing role of the Missionaries of Mercy (special confessors)

Careful preparation by priests for the ministry of confession

The need for this sacrament to regain a central place in the Christian life

The extension of the faculties for confession and absolution granted for the Jubilee

Consolation as a fruit of mercy

Marriage and family as a privileged locus of mercy

Mercy’s role in the preparation for death

Mercy and the path of charity

The concrete commitment to mercy, as exemplified in the Jubilee’s Fridays of mercy

The creativity of mercy in response to so many needs

Recognition of new paths for mercy in response to new challenges

Promotion of a culture of mercy, to transform every aspect of life

Why “the time of mercy” is now

The inspiration and counsel of Mary, Mother of Mercy

Although Pope Francis does not further clarify how mercy is to be applied in the complex situations created by invalid marriages, as discussed in Amoris Laetitia, in this apostolic letter he emphasizes that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is the key to helping persons in difficult situations:

We confessors have experienced many conversions that took place before our very eyes. We feel responsible, then, for actions and words that can touch the heart of penitents and enable them to discover the closeness of the Father who forgives. Let us not lose such occasions by acting in a way that can contradict the experience of mercy that the penitent seeks. Rather, let us help light up the space of personal conscience with God’s infinite love (cf. 1 Jn 3:20). [11]

I encourage a prayerful reading of Misericordia et Misera. It makes excellent spiritual reading to help us grow in that mercy through which the Father reaches out again and again to embrace those who so deeply need the liberating power of His perfect love.

Pope Francis has given us a deep and fruitful reflection on mercy along with several concrete suggestions for actualizing greater mercy in the life of the Church. Perhaps something the pope wrote in section 16, on mercy as the path of charity, best captures the main point of the letter:

The desire for closeness to Christ requires us to draw near to our brothers and sisters, for nothing is more pleasing to the Father than a true sign of mercy. By its very nature, mercy becomes visible and tangible in specific acts. Once mercy has been truly experienced, it is impossible to turn back. It grows constantly and it changes our lives.

Jeffrey Mirus holds a Ph.D. in intellectual history from Princeton University. A co-founder of Christendom College, he also pioneered Catholic Internet services. He is the founder of Trinity Communications and CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Agreed. The Letter contains no harping, no activism, no political overtones, no condemnations, no glancing blows, and no threats. It is a welcome spiritual work that convinces with gentleness and truth, reflecting the hope that resides inside all who believe in and seek after the one, true God. It trusts that this God will reward those who pursue Him and that He will never leave us wayfarers without an ultimate destination towards Him and the communion of saints who always draw near to Him.

Stay in Touch!

Subscribe to Insights

Stay on top of the latest Catholic news and analysis from CatholicCulture.org.